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Your Daniel Ebook for this lesson - Apostolicfaithonline.org

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<strong>Daniel</strong><br />

Chapter 10<br />

This is <strong>Daniel</strong>’s final vision (536 B.C.). In it, he was given further insight into the great<br />

spiritual battle between God’s people and those who want to destroy them. There is also<br />

more detailed in<strong>for</strong>mation on the future, specifically the struggles between the Ptolemies<br />

(kings of the South) and the Seleucids (kings of the North).<br />

Prior to <strong>this</strong> vision, Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, but <strong>Daniel</strong> stayed in<br />

Babylonia. Why didn’t <strong>Daniel</strong> return to Jerusalem He may have been too old to make<br />

the long, hazardous journey (he was over 80); his government duties could have<br />

prevented him; or God may have told him to stay behind to complete the work he was<br />

called to do.<br />

“In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, <strong>Daniel</strong> (also known as<br />

Belteshazzar) had another vision. It concerned events certain to happen in the future—<br />

times of war and great hardship—and <strong>Daniel</strong> understood what the vision meant. When<br />

<strong>this</strong> vision came to me, I, <strong>Daniel</strong>, had been in mourning <strong>for</strong> three weeks. [3] All that time<br />

I had eaten no rich food or meat, had drunk no wine, and had used no fragrant oils.<br />

<strong>Daniel</strong> refrained from eating choice foods and using lotions because these were signs of<br />

feasting and rejoicing.<br />

On April 23, as I was standing beside the great Tigris River, I looked up and saw a man<br />

dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like<br />

a dazzling gem. From his face came flashes like lightning, and his eyes were like flaming<br />

torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice was like the roaring<br />

of a vast multitude of people.<br />

The man seen by <strong>Daniel</strong> was a heavenly being. Some commentators believe that <strong>this</strong> was<br />

an appearance of Christ (see Rev. 1:13-15), while others think it was an angel (because<br />

he required Michael’s help— <strong>Daniel</strong> 10:13). In either case, <strong>Daniel</strong> caught a glimpse of<br />

the battle between good and evil supernatural powers.<br />

Chrysolite is a translucent, semi-precious stone.<br />

“I, <strong>Daniel</strong>, am the only one who saw <strong>this</strong> vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they<br />

were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So I was left there all alone to watch <strong>this</strong><br />

amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.<br />

When I heard him speak, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. Just then a<br />

hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said<br />

to me, "O <strong>Daniel</strong>, greatly loved of God, listen carefully to what I have to say to you.<br />

Stand up, <strong>for</strong> I have been sent to you." When he said <strong>this</strong> to me, I stood up, still trembling<br />

with fear. Then he said, "Don't be afraid, <strong>Daniel</strong>. Since the first day you began to pray <strong>for</strong><br />

understanding and to humble yourself be<strong>for</strong>e your God, your request has been heard in<br />

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